NameCensus.

UK surname

Hercules

Derived from the Greek mythological hero, indicating strength, courage, or endurance.

In the 1881 census there were 5 people recorded with the Hercules surname, ranking it #33,110 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 130, ranked #26,152, up from #33,110 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to No data. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Leeds, Wirral and Peterborough.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Hercules is 140 in 2010. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 2500.0%.

1881 census count

5

Ranked #33,110

Modern count

130

2016, ranked #26,152

Peak year

2010

140 bearers

Map years

3

1998 to 2016

Key insights

  • Hercules had 5 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #33,110 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 130 in 2016, ranked #26,152.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 20 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Hercules surname distribution map

The map shows where the Hercules surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Hercules surname density by area, 2016 modern.

Loading map
Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Hercules over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 7 #32,070
1861 historical 20 #31,364
1881 historical 5 #33,110
1891 historical 6 #33,800
1901 historical 8 #33,289
1911 historical 7 #33,083
1997 modern 107 #25,924
1998 modern 118 #25,041
1999 modern 116 #25,487
2000 modern 123 #24,585
2001 modern 118 #24,832
2002 modern 127 #24,267
2003 modern 124 #24,378
2004 modern 120 #25,078
2005 modern 132 #23,623
2006 modern 132 #23,834
2007 modern 122 #25,353
2008 modern 128 #24,901
2009 modern 131 #25,056
2010 modern 140 #24,569
2011 modern 135 #24,922
2012 modern 127 #25,992
2013 modern 122 #27,122
2014 modern 132 #25,971
2015 modern 128 #26,356
2016 modern 130 #26,152

Geography

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Where Hercules' are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around No data. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Leeds, Wirral, Peterborough and Aylesbury Vale. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 No data No data

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Leeds 042 Leeds
2 Wirral 028 Wirral
3 Wirral 026 Wirral
4 Peterborough 013 Peterborough
5 Aylesbury Vale 019 Aylesbury Vale

Forenames

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First names often paired with Hercules

These lists show first names that appear often with the Hercules surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Hercules

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Hercules, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Hercules surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Hercules household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Hercules is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Hercules is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Hercules falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Hercules is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 40-50 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

7
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

This describes the area pattern most associated with Hercules, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Hercules

The surname Hercules is of Greek origin, derived from the name of the legendary Greek hero and demigod, Heracles. The name Heracles itself is believed to have its roots in the ancient Greek word 'Hera', which means 'glory of Hera', referring to the goddess Hera.

The surname Hercules first appeared in written records during the Middle Ages, particularly in regions with strong Greek influence, such as parts of Italy and Southern Europe. It is likely that the name was adopted by individuals or families who claimed descent from or admired the mythological figure of Heracles, also known as Hercules in Roman mythology.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Hercules can be found in the chronicles of the city of Naples, Italy, dating back to the 13th century. In these records, a nobleman named Goffredo Hercules is mentioned as a prominent figure in the city's political affairs.

Another notable bearer of the surname was Hercules Grimaldi, born in 1522 in Genoa, Italy. He was a renowned diplomat and military commander who served under the King of Spain during the 16th century.

In England, the surname Hercules can be traced back to the 17th century, with records showing a family of that name residing in the county of Kent. One of the earliest documented individuals was Sir Thomas Hercules (1625-1693), a prominent landowner and member of the English gentry.

During the Renaissance period, the name Hercules gained popularity across Europe, particularly among intellectuals and artists who drew inspiration from classical Greek and Roman mythology. This may have contributed to the spread and adoption of the surname in various regions.

Other notable individuals bearing the surname Hercules include the 18th-century Italian painter Hercules Bianchi (1724-1806), known for his religious artworks, and the French mathematician and astronomer Hercules Joseph Gallet (1790-1853), who made significant contributions to the study of celestial mechanics.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Hercules families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Hercules surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 5 Hercules' recorded in 1881 and an index of 7.21x.

County Total Index
Lancashire 5 7.21x
Royal Navy 1 142.86x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Everton in Lancashire leads with 5 Hercules' recorded in 1881 and an index of 226.24x.

Place Total Index
Everton 5 226.24x
Royal Navy 1 166.67x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Hercules surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Elizabeth 2
Eleanor 1
Emily 1
Georgina 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Hercules surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Charles 1

FAQ

Hercules surname: questions and answers

How common was the Hercules surname in 1881?

In 1881, 5 people were recorded with the Hercules surname. That placed it at #33,110 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Hercules surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 130 in 2016. That gives Hercules a modern rank of #26,152.

What does the Hercules surname mean?

Derived from the Greek mythological hero, indicating strength, courage, or endurance.

What does the Hercules map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Hercules bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.